Trike Frame

Hi, I'm a visitor from another forum, so what I don't know about frame building is massive. I'm considering having a custom tricycle built, I currently have a delta, I'm thinking of a tadpole for the better handling, especially corners.

I'll be installing a brushless hub for some electical assist as this will be a year-round commuter. I will also have to have enough storage to do shopping for a family of three.

Could I buy a frame, or would I need a custom built? What possible issues could I have if I choose the latter?

I don't see why you couldn't buy a frame. I know of at least two places that make recumebents custom in TO area, and one used to specialize in trikes, though they were a little bumbed out about them when I last talked to them. Sometimes it's tough to not buy the whole package. Not sure what your issues are. There seem to be a lot of home based folks building trikes. I know one guy gearing up to make recumbents out here in suburbian, and he was better equipt and formaly educated than most pros. There are probably a lot of folks who could do it.

I was riding a 2 wheel recumbent, and I really found other drivers did not deal well with it out here. TO is different both pro and con, but a winter one would be low on my list, though sounds like you already have the experience with a delta.

I don't see why you couldn't buy a frame. I know of at least two places that make recumebents custom in TO area, and one used to specialize in trikes, though they were a little bumbed out about them when I last talked to them.

Please share the names!

I'm now looking at cowlings, but I don't know where to source them either.

Your fovorite shop and mine Ubane Cyclist. They do both upright and rec. custom frames. The frame builder, Kerry (?) is one of the two main guys in the repair area. They have a computer back there and frame design software. He tours on recumbents. I think he is mostly a 2 wheeler guy, but you will have to ask.

In Oshawa there is Triketrails, and I wonder if they are still in business they changed their name a while back since they were selling more 2 wheel recumbents. The new name was something like Omega. I'm out there today or tommorow, and can check in. They were both making their own frame prototypes and importing frames from the Far Cheap.

Brad of Atomiczombie.com fame has made a bunch of trikes and winter bikes, and has published plans, he is up north. I don't know if he sells any of his stuff, worth a look.